Sanhai Rock

Sanhai Rock

Sanhai Rock

Sanhai Rock, located within the campus of Lingshan Middle School in Lingshan County, is hailed as a “scenic marvel of western Guangdong” for its breathtaking landscape. The rock formation is named Sanhai (Three Seas) for its wondrous scenery. “Stone cliffs divide the moon, money turtles appear; shaded cool caves offer respite from summer’s heat, while red-flushed flying pavilions vie in grace. Poetic visitors find no peers, time flows like water yet stays awhile; this blessed land of caves awaits your verse—doubt not, it’s Lingshan’s finest gem.”

Sanhai Rock is just a hundred meters away from Liufeng Mountain. The cave runs through from front to back, stretching 60 meters from north to south, over 30 meters in height, and 45 meters wide from east to west. It is divided into three sections: the eastern part is called Yueyan (Moon Cave), the middle is Guayan (Turtle Cave), and the western part is Qianyan (Money Cave), symbolizing the three transformations of the sea, hence the name “Sanhai Rock” (Three Seas Rock). To the north, there is a pavilion that faces Liufeng Mountain, giving rise to the saying, “The sacred cave path leads to Sanhai, from here you climb up to Liufeng.” The mouth of the cave bears cliff inscriptions such as “Fairyland Cave,” “None So Divine As This,” and “Lingshan’s Finest.” Inside the cave, it is warm in winter and cool in summer, earning the titles “No Three Dog-Days in June” and “A Four-Seasons-in-One-Day Retreat,” and is known as a “summer retreat.”

Today, the cave preserves over 140 stone inscriptions dating from the Northern Song Dynasty to the Republican era, spanning nearly 900 years, most of which are well-preserved. These inscriptions include poems, essays, historical records, inscribed names, and dedications. Their content spans politics, economy, culture, and local landscapes, reflecting the social ethos and spiritual life of various periods since the Northern Song Dynasty. Many works express deep love for the motherland’s rivers and mountains. These pieces are carved in various sizes and styles of regular, running, cursive, clerical, and seal scripts, showcasing high artistic value in calligraphy, with some being particularly exquisite. The authors of these inscriptions and calligraphic works were mostly local literati and officials, as well as notable figures from elsewhere, such as Desong and Tao Bi. Due to the continuous timeline, dense distribution, excellent literary and calligraphic quality of the Sanhai Rock cliff inscriptions, and their harmonious complement to the natural scenery, they have long been cherished by people, making Sanhai Rock a renowned tourist destination. In 1994, the People’s Government of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region designated the Sanhai Rock cliff inscriptions as a Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Sanhai’s Changing Winds

Sanhai Rock is situated on the western side of Liufeng Mountain and consists of three caves: Guayan (Turtle Cave), Qianyan (Money Cave), and Yueyan (Moon Cave). It is also named for the symbolic meaning of the three transformations of the sea, hence its name. The caverns are tall and spacious, capable of holding thousands of people. Inside, stalactites hang upside down, springs trickle down, and cool breezes blow, creating an eerie and mysterious atmosphere. Outside the cave, the bright and open air is refreshing and uplifting. A Ming Dynasty scholar, Li Fuqing, praised it: “Having traveled all the famous sights of the Central Plains, who would have thought a fairyland exists in our homeland!” There are currently 140 extant stone inscriptions and steles, including a cliff inscription of the poem “Passing Through Lingshan and Expressing My Feelings” by Yue Lin, son of the famous general Yue Fei. Adjacent to Sanhai Rock on both sides are two peaks: to the left is Huashi Mountain, home to the Enshengyan Guanyin Temple, one of Lingshan’s most renowned Buddhist temples. To the right is Cuibi Peak, which features Chuangjingyan (Mirror-Through Rock, also known as Half-Moon Rock or Sky-Through Rock). In November of the 28th year of the Republic of China (1939), Cai Tingkai led the 26th Army Group to station in Lingshan, setting up the headquarters here. In September of the 29th year of the Republic of China (1940), he inscribed the four characters “Zhenlü Yánjiāng” (Rally Troops at the Frontier) on Chuangjingyan. The inscription is 212 cm high and 77 cm wide, written in upright regular script. The preface reads “In the 29th year of the Republic of China, anti-Japanese troops were stationed here,” and the postscript reads “Written by Cai Tingkai.”

Lingshan’s Sanhai Rock, located within the campus of Lingshan Middle School on the western side of Liufeng Mountain, consists of three caves: Guayan (Turtle Cave), Qianyan (Money Cave), and Yueyan (Moon Cave). It is also named for the symbolic meaning of the three transformations of the sea, hence its name. Outside the caves, the scenery is lush and serene, offering tranquility and pleasure, with attractions such as Zuoyin Pavilion and Haiyan Pavilion. The caverns are tall and spacious, capable of holding thousands of people. Inside, stalactites hang upside down, springs trickle down, and cool breezes blow, creating an eerie and mysterious atmosphere. “There are no three dog-days in June, and one day holds four seasons”—this is its true portrayal. Sanhai Rock has long been hailed as a “scenic wonder of western Guangdong.” A Ming Dynasty scholar, Li Fuqing, praised it: “Having traveled all the famous sights of the Central Plains, who would have thought a fairyland exists in our homeland!” Most importantly, the cave houses over 140 exquisite cliff inscriptions left by literati throughout the ages on the cave walls and ceilings. These inscriptions come in various forms, including poetry, essays, historical records, travel accounts, and inscribed names, and are written in different scripts such as regular, running, cursive, clerical, and seal scripts. Their content covers politics, economy, culture, and local landscapes, including many fine works of significant archaeological and historical value. It has been listed as a Fourth Batch Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit of Guangxi.

It is a true depiction of the site. Sanhai Rock has long been hailed as a “scenic wonder of western Guangdong.” A Ming Dynasty scholar, Li Fuqing, praised it: “Having traveled all the famous sights of the Central Plains, who would have thought a fairyland exists in our homeland!” Most importantly, the cave houses over 140 exquisite cliff inscriptions left by literati throughout the ages on the cave walls and ceilings. These inscriptions come in various forms, including poetry, essays, historical records, travel accounts, and inscribed names, and are written in different scripts such as regular, running, cursive, clerical, and seal scripts. Their content covers politics, economy, culture, and local landscapes, including many fine works of significant archaeological and historical value. It has been listed as a Fourth Batch Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit of Guangxi.

Ashamed Before the True Warriors Who Slew the Tyrant — A Reflection on Lingshan’s Chuangjingyan

Why do verdant peaks hide caves and cliffs? Perhaps a hero once drew his spear and lance, his valor shaking heaven and earth, leaving behind the mirror-through cave for mankind. A fierce and valiant commander, leading troops with shared enmity. Swearing to defend home and country, even at the cost of his life, while cowardly officers slipped away on oily feet, fleeing without battle, retreating thousands of miles, panic rising like startled cranes with no means to regroup; the dream of victory on the rocky frontier unfulfilled, only worries of rallying troops remain inscribed on the wall. Ashamed before the true warriors who slew the tyrant, facing the rivers and mountains brings only shame. Let history be our mirror, when will patriotism find its due reward?

Chuangjingyan is located halfway up Cuibi Peak, about one kilometer west of Lingshui County, adjacent to Sanhai Rock. It is situated within Lingshan Middle School in Lingshui County, west of the county town. Behind the school stands a limestone mountain nearly 100 meters high, with Chuangjingyan located about two-thirds up its slope. The cave penetrates the mountain and cliff, forming an oval-shaped hollow like a mirror, hence its name. The cave entrance is shielded by a cliff, making it an effective natural barrier against enemy air raids. Above the cave entrance is inscribed the three characters “Xiao Kōngtóng” (Little Kongtong). The cave is about seven meters high, seventeen to eighteen meters wide, and roughly ten meters deep. From afar, it looks like a large mirror hanging high on the rock face, gleaming and translucent, hence the name Mirror Cave.

Legend has it that in ancient times, a chivalrous hero killed a local tyrant and was pursued by soldiers. He fled day and night, and when he reached the southwest post road of Lingshui County, the pursuers closed in from all directions. Calm and composed, he planted his spear in the ground, drew his bow, and let loose an arrow with a roar toward the towering rock face ahead. With a thunderous boom, the earth shook, and a huge boulder was sent flying, landing in the middle of the Zhuang River in Hengzhou, while a large cave appeared halfway up Cuibi Peak. The cave is oval-shaped, leaving behind a “heavenly mirror” on earth.

During the Anti-Japanese War, Cai Tingkai led the Nationalist 26th Army Group. After stationing at Sanhai Rock, he proceeded to Chuangjingyan, where he brandished his sword to boost troop morale and built bunkers and trenches on surrounding hills, preparing to fight the Japanese to the death. Unfortunately, Wu Qiwu, the commander of the Fourth War Zone stationed in Lingshui, fled in panic before the Japanese arrived, forcing the army to retreat. Cai’s ambitions were unfulfilled, and he was filled with indignation.